The Optical Lantern and Cinematograph Journal (Nov 1904-Oct 1905)

104 THE OPTICAL LANTERN AND CINEMATOGRAPH JOURNAL. Halation in Lantern Slides —Most photographers know that in taking a photograph against the light, opaque objects will be surrounded by halation, unless a backed plate is used. Comparatively few remember that the same objectionable effect will be produced when making lantern slides, unless similar backing of the plate is done. The Gas Gave Out.— Mr. ]. H. Walker, F.R. H.S., the expert of the Northamptonshire County Council, delivered a lantern lecture on "Practical Gardening" at Rugby last month. A very able and instructive lecture was brought to an abrupt termination through want of gas. Mr. E. J. Jackson, assisted by Mr. Humphrey, manipulated the lantern. The Gardner Brown Bioscope and Variety Company have just arrived at Gibraltar from Malta, and are giving excellent entertainments nightly to our soldiers and sailors and the garrison generally, under Sir Geo-ge White's patronage. The Bindmann-Dallas Opera Company commenced a short season on the 28th ult. The Tibet Mission.— The lecture of the month has been that of Sir Frank Younghusband on the unveiling of Lhassa. At the Royal Geographical Society a learned and distinguished company assembled, and the vivid woid pictures were rendered the more interesting by the aid of excellent photographic views of the marvellous scenery of the country thrown on the screen. The views of the Forbidden City were full of interest, and the various types of the chief men produced much amusement. The Coliseum — London's latest huge amusement temple— follows the lead of nearly every house where a variety entertainment is given, and uses the optical lantern and living pictures for one of its "turns." The series of slides (which, by-theway, are shown on the fireproof curtain) used to illustrate the songs are very poor for such splendid surroundings. One looks for something above the ordinary, but those shown are very commonplace, and we suggest that the management should raise the standard of the views to the level of the rest of the entertainment. Of the animated pictures we have nothing to say unless it is that these are too few. Education and Industry in America.— The large hall of the Co-operative Society, Sunderland, was crowded to listen to a lecture on " Education and Industry in America," by Councillor J. Whitburn, a member of the Moseley Educational Commission, 1903. Mr. Whitburn alluded to the thorough-going system of manual training in the American schools, which resulted in giving the youth a taste for mechanics, besides enormously strengthening the demand for a technical training later on. He referred to the wonderful enthusiasm for education which characterised the American people. Evening classes were held everywhere, in the schools, colleges, churches, and factories, and all were crowded on the first or second night of the winter session. The lecture was illustrated by a large number of beautirul slides. CORRESPONDENCE. [Letters which aie of general interest to our readers me always welcome, i hey should be short and to the point, and must be accompanied by the name and address of the -in iter, as a guarantee 0/ good faith, though not necessarily for publication, the Editor is not responsible for the opinions of his correspondents.^ EXAGGERATED NEWSPAPER REPORTS. Sir, — I was very surprised to see in your journal the account of the fire at the Salvation Army Barracks, Dudley. The papers published a lot of untruths from beginning to end. They said that the audience was mainly composed of children, but there were not seventy children in the audience, which was, as near as I can tell, about eight hundred. As to the lantern being destroyed, I was showing to a crowded audience at Town Hall, Holly Hall, Dudley, the following night. The fire did not last three minutes, and could have been put out but for the crowd, and they hampered us, but there was no harm done to anyone. — Yours, etc., JAMES HENRY BLISSE. «*» SLIDE CLUB IN. NORTH LONDON. Sir, — I wish to join a lantern slide club, and should be obliged if you could give me the address of the secretary of a club in North London. — Yours, etc., J. DANES, 2, Fortess Road, N.W. [We do not know a club for slides only, but you might find the North-West London Photographic Society, at 17, Camden Road, useful. The secretary is Mr. H. S. Date, 3a, Woodsome Road, N.W.— Ed.] -?• AN IMPROVED SPOOL. Sir, — From your magazine I have learnt one or two good " wrinkles " that have proved useful to me in my show of moving pictures, and I should like to reciprocate by suggesting an idea, which to me seems practicable and necessary, and which the trade may produce. We all know the advantage of extra reels or spools for the film, but how much easier it would make our work if these were made so that one side was entirely detachable, and the used film could be slipped off the hub without the trouble of rewinding. It could easily be done by letting the side fit the hub with a spring catch. I find the varying sizes of the holes in the hub a great nuisance, some of the makers have more than one size. Why is this? —Yours, etc , PRACTICABLE. LIVING PICTURES AND POLITICS. Sir, — I am highly pleased with the Optical Lantern and Cinematograph Journal. It is just the journal that persons who are interested in cinematograph and lantern work have been looking for for a long time. For the past five years I have used the cinematograph (Walturdaw Bioscope) in connection with my political meetings in different parts of the country, and have proved it of great value, not only in the way of entertainment, but also for imparting instruction on political questions of the day. I am thoroughly convinced that there is a wide opening for the cinematograph in the political world. — Yours, etc., F. GEO. PYNE, Organizing Secretary and Registration Agent, North-west Devon Unionist Association.